Last winter, it looked like we were finally going to get Judy, one of our longtime guests, into housing. We found her two places she could live, and everything looked good: applications accepted, interviews passed. All that was left was for Judy to say yes to one of the housing options. Then, at the last minute, Judy told us, “Thank you, but no thanks.”

Everyone who knew Judy was sad and confused. Why would someone go through this entire process only to walk away at the last minute? Still, we didn’t give up hope. Roy, our Outreach Director and Case Manager, worked steadily with the Department of Human Services to get Judy into housing. And finally, this past Monday, Judy signed her lease.

Judy came back to visit us a few days after she moved in and was so excited. The best moment was when she turned to us and said:

I never thought of me and success together, but man, you can now consider me a success!

We are happy and proud of Judy, but must also give major kudos to Roy, who drove Judy to and from many apartment showings and meetings with DHS, and who never gave up hope that we could get Judy a place of her own. People like Judy motivate us to keep trying and persisting, day after day. Congratulations, Judy!